Portugal’s Naval Rocha Shipyard Reports Robust Activity

Portugal’s Naval Rocha shipyard is reporting a surge in activity in the opening half of 2018 after delivering a series of drydock, wet basin and pier-side projects.

Naval Rocha commercial director Sergio Rodrigues said the yard located in the heart of Lisbon Harbour on the north bank of the River Tagus has completed a wide variety of repair and conversion projects.

Key work has involved containers, cruise, passenger and sailing ships, cargo and research survey vessels, naval ships, anchor handing tugs, supply vessels and dredgers.

“Naval Rocha is a unique, modern shipyard,” said Mr Rodrigues. “We are located in a prime position in the centre of a European capital city which enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year. This provides ideal ship repair and conversion conditions and a vibrant cosmopolitan location for crew.

“We have decades of experience in maintenance and repair work on all type of vessels. However, it is the scale of our operation which sets us apart. We have three drydocks and manage around 30 projects a year ensuring each and every client is given priority treatment by our team of 70 staff. Easy access to pier space along the River Tagus and other Portuguese ports including Setubal and Sines ensures we can manage vessels of any size and scale.

“One of our first projects in 2018 involved the Monte da Guia owned by Transinsular and operated by S&C Ship Management in Portugal. This 27-day drydock was delivered to DNV GL approval and involved 40-tonnes of steelwork to areas including ballast tanks and the cargo hold. Mechanical work was delivered to the engine room with maintenance to propeller shafts, rudders and cranes.

“Further commercial contracts have involved the NOX oil and chemical tanker operated by Greece’s World Carrier Corporation and the Nordanhav self-unloading cargo carrier owned by Citadel Shipping in Sweden and operated by Thunbalogen Ship Management. The nine-day project on NOX involved an intermediate drydock survey, washing, painting and overhaul to sea valves. Meanwhile, the Nordanhav docked at Naval Rocha’s pier for 17 days undergoing widescale maintenance including electrical, hydraulic and mechanical work with additional repairs to the conveyor belt and crane system used for dispatching cargo.”

Another area of strong growth for Naval Rocha shipyard is the livestock carrier market linked to Portugal’s growing exports to the Middle East. A recent repair contract involved the Alondra livestock carrier, owned by Denmark’s Corral Line ApS. The former feeder vessel booked drydocked to renew its certificate. It follows several other livestock carrier projects involving modifications and re-fabrication to gangways to meet new requirements, along with the installation of fresh water generators and emergency paint work to 3000sq metres of hold areas.

Mr Rodrigues said the yard also continues to perform well in the cruise and leisure markets. Notable success includes the Star Flyer cruise sailing vessel operated by Monaco based Star Clippers, the Corinthian polar expedition cruiser operated by Grand Circle Cruise Line and Astoria cruise vessel operated by Global Cruise Lines.

The Star Flyer received widescale steel work to ballast water tanks, sewage tanks, mechanical work, new piping, blasting and painting during an intensive 15-day stop over. Engineers and technicians worked hard within limited space to complete the project.

Meanwhile, Corinthian underwent wet dock repairs and is scheduled to return for a new sewage treatment system later this year. Work in the wet basin involved small refurbishments to interior and public spaces. Sister ship Clio is also scheduled for drydock at the end of 2018.
“The arrival of Astoria marked one of the largest vessels we have managed in dock at 160m length with a beam of 21m,” said Mr Rodrigues. “The 23-day project in Dock 1 involved mechanical work, small amounts of steel fabrication, refurbishment to cabin areas, overhaul to life-saving equipment along with general washing, painting and certificate clearance.”

Additional work has been delivered on a series of research survey vessels including Ocean Diversity managed by Marine Projects in Rotterdam and NRP Almirante Gago Coutinho operated by the Portuguese Navy’s Instituto Hidrográfico.

Work for Ocean Diversity involved a ‘re-start’ project due to inactivity. The 40-day drydock involved maintenance to underwater systems, hull protection, steel modifications on deck as well as hydraulics, machinery and piping. The NRP Almirante Gago Coutinho meanwhile underwent general servicing and propeller repairs. A second research vessel operated by Instituto Hidrográfico called Noruega is scheduled for drydock later in the year for sounding modifications.

A final project deserving the spotlight involves the St Vincent LPG carrier operated by Epic Ship Management. This 16-day project involved the supply of 18tonnes of nitrogen for the ‘gassing up’ process. Further mechanical and electrical work and upgrades were delivered propellers, cargo tanks, motors, turbo chargers, engines and boilers.

“Naval Rocha is now aiming to build on momentum from recent months and target projects in specific areas where we have a strong track record and expertise,” said Mr Rodrigues. “This includes the LPG market where we have delivered an average of three projects each year for the last four years. The oil, chemical and livestock carrier markets are also firmly on our radar. We have further identified major potential for our redeveloped Dry-dock 3 which manages yachts up to 65m in length with a 11,5m draft.